An introduction to UCAS and Higher Education choices

1
An introduction to UCAS and Higher Education
choices

• Mr D Clarke
• Deputy Head of Sixth Form
• Netherhall Sixth Form

2
Available options

• Explore the possibilities
• Employment
• Further education
• Gap year activities
• University (higher education)
• Subjects - performance and enjoyment
• Match subjects to courses
• Some vocations require specific choices

3
University and course choices

• Location and type (campus/city)
• Full-time or sandwich courses
• Interests - other opportunities available

4
What else should I think about?

• Course details - modules
• Entrance requirements (UCAS tariff)
• University/college open days
• Location
• Accommodation
• Graduate destinations employment
• Tuition Fees (A range between 6000 and 9000)
• Financial incentives (Grants/bursaries)

5
The provision of higher education in the UK

• Number of institutions
• Number of courses
• Applicants
• Acceptances
• Statistics from UCAS, 2012

304 39,000 700,161 492,030
6
How do I apply/gather information?

• UCAS website (www.ucas.com)
• University college prospectus, websites and
  admissions tutors
• Careers library
• Careers interviews
• Guidance advice Mr Clarke, Tutors, family
  friends
• Centigrade
• Sixth Form website (www.netherhall.org/sixthform)

7
Centigrade

• Self assessment form completed in Autumn
  reviewed in Spring Yr12
• 150 questions on interests, personal qualities,
  skills broad abilities
• Academic information also includes other
  qualifications, key skills, etc.
• Suggests suitable areas of interest, courses and
  locations for students

8
UCAS the process at Netherhall

• UCAS Online application form Remember to apply
  as part of a school/college (Netherhall),
• BUZZWORD netherhall2013
• Personal statement (checked with tutor)
• Tutor writes reference based on subject teacher
  information which is then reviewed by Mr Clarke
• Final copy of UCAS form sent to us
• Pay the UCAS fee (online)
• Meet with Mr Clarke to help students with final
  checks
• UCAS Application Completion!

9
The UCAS tariff
AS level
A level
10
Example

• A student taking three GCE A Levels plus one AS
  qualification.
• A2 Grade
• English grade A 120
• History grade B 100
• Economics grade C 80
• 300
• GCE AS
• Psychology grade B 50
• 350

11
UCAS

• UCAS opening date for applications is 1st
  September
• Students can make a choice of up to five
  university courses
• Interviews compulsory for Oxbridge for
  applications to medicine, dentistry, veterinary
  medicine teaching. (Deadline of 15th October)
• All other courses have a December deadline
  (Netherhall)
• University College offers made November April
• Students can hold 2 offers for places (F) firm
  (I) insurance

12
Gap Years and deferred entry

• Consider your interests
• Find out whole wealth of information on the web
  and via Tutors
• This option allows you to make your higher
  education choices, but gives you the option of
  doing something else for a year

13
Useful contacts

• Universities Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)
• - www.ucas.com
• www.opendays.com
• School website
• - www.netherhallsf.org
• - HE and careers information
• - Where do I go from here guide
• - Sample personal statements